Why Is It Important to Know the Stock Market Trading Hours?
Understanding stock trading hours is not just supplementary information; it is a key factor in developing a successful investment strategy. The US and Vietnamese stock markets are showing strong positive signals, with indices like S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq continuously reaching new highs, while the Vietnamese market also experiences lively trading sessions with values touching the billion-dollar threshold.
However, the biggest challenge faced by new investors is not lack of knowledge but not knowing when the market opens, what the optimal trading hours are, and how to manage order placement time effectively.
How the Stock Market Operates
Basic Principles of Trading Hours
Unlike the forex market, which operates 24/7, global stock exchanges follow official working schedules. Most operate officially from Monday to Friday during regular business hours. The market does not trade on weekends and national holidays.
Each market has its own characteristics:
Some have lunch breaks (for example Vietnam: 11:30-13:00)
Some operate continuously through lunch (like NYSE)
Some only allow trading during official hours
Some provide pre-market and after-hours trading
Important Information Before Trading
Before each trading session, investors should update:
Company information: earnings reports, dividends, corporate events
Economic calendar: upcoming events impacting the market
Analysis from experts and reputable trading platforms
US Stock Trading Hours in Vietnam Time
NYSE - New York Stock Exchange
Trading Session
US Time
Vietnam Time
Pre-market
6:30 - 7:00
18:30 - 19:00
Early session
7:00 - 9:30
19:00 - 21:30
Main session
9:30 - 16:00
21:30 - 4:00
After-hours
16:00 - 18:00
4:00 - 6:00
NASDAQ
Trading Session
US Time
Vietnam Time
Early session
4:00 - 9:30
16:00 - 21:30
Main session
9:30 - 16:00
21:30 - 4:00
After-hours
16:00 - 20:00
4:00 - 8:00
Important Notes
Both NYSE and NASDAQ operate continuously without lunch breaks. Pre-market and after-hours trading times depend on each broker and may vary. Vietnamese traders often access the US market through derivative products like CFDs, which allow profit from price movements without owning the actual assets.
Vietnam Stock Trading Hours
General Information
Vietnam’s three stock exchanges—HOSE (Ho Chi Minh City), HNX (Hanoi), and Upcom—are:
Opening: 9:00 (prepared from 8:45)
Closing: 14:45-15:00
Lunch break: 11:30-13:00
Operating days: Monday to Friday (excluding holidays and Tet)
HOSE - Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange
Trading hours for stocks, fund certificates, ETFs:
Time Frame
Order Type
Method
9:00 - 9:15
ATO (Opening order)
Opening auction matching
9:15 - 11:30
LO, MP
Continuous matching I
13:00 - 14:30
LO, MP
Continuous matching II
14:30 - 14:45
ATC (Closing order)
Closing auction matching
Bonds: Negotiated trading from 9:00-15:00 (excluding lunch break 11:30-13:00)
HNX - Hanoi Stock Exchange
Time Frame
Order Type
Method
9:00 - 11:30
LO, MTL, MOK, MAK
Continuous matching I
13:00 - 14:30
LO, MTL, MOK, MAK
Continuous matching II
14:30 - 14:45
ATC, LO
Closing auction matching
14:45 - 15:00
PLO
Post-market matching
Upcom
Time Frame
Order Type
Method
9:00 - 11:30
LO
Continuous matching I
13:00 - 15:00
LO
Continuous matching II
Derivatives trading on all three exchanges opens 15 minutes earlier than the underlying stocks, with indices like VN-30 and futures contracts.
Major Vietnamese Securities Companies’ Trading Hours
VNDirect
Morning: 8:00 - 11:45
Afternoon: 12:45 - 17:00
Lunch break: 11:45 - 12:45
Starting from 1/3/2021, also open Saturday mornings
The first 2 hours after opening or the last hours before closing are the most volatile. Especially, the first 15 minutes have high trading volume. Day traders should take advantage of this before 11:30 (US time) as volatility drops significantly afterward.
At the end of December, the market tends to be more lively (“Christmas rally” phenomenon), as investors seek new opportunities.
For Cautious Investors (Vietnam)
Focus on peak hours: 9:00-10:00 AM and 13:30-14:30 PM. Trading all day is unnecessary—just 2-3 hours daily.
Vietnam’s market also has lively periods, especially around Tet when investors receive bonuses and look for new investment opportunities.
Trading Holiday Schedule
US Market Closed on:
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Washington’s Birthday
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Juneteenth
Vietnamese Market Closed on:
New Year’s Day
Lunar New Year
Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day
April 30th
May 1st
National Day September 2nd
Summary Table of Main Stock Exchange Trading Hours
Exchange
Country
City
Open
Close
Lunch Break
HOSE
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
9:00
14:45
11:30-13:00
HNX
Vietnam
Hanoi
9:00
14:45
11:30-13:00
ASX
Australia
Sydney
10:00
16:00
None
TSE
Japan
Tokyo
9:00
15:00
11:30-12:30
SGX
Singapore
Singapore
9:00
17:00
12:00-13:00
HKEX
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
9:30
16:00
12:00-13:00
SSE
China
Shanghai
9:30
15:00
11:30-13:00
NYSE
USA
New York
9:30
16:00
None
NASDAQ
USA
New York
9:30
16:00
None
Conclusion
Knowing stock trading hours and managing your time effectively are fundamental to building a sound investment strategy. Whether you are interested in the US or Vietnamese markets, understanding detailed trading hours will help optimize your investment results. Combine this knowledge with trading software that supports economic calendars, real-time news, and expert analysis to gain a competitive edge in market opportunities.
View Original
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
Stock Trading Strategy: Guide to the Opening Hours of the Vietnamese and US Markets
Why Is It Important to Know the Stock Market Trading Hours?
Understanding stock trading hours is not just supplementary information; it is a key factor in developing a successful investment strategy. The US and Vietnamese stock markets are showing strong positive signals, with indices like S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq continuously reaching new highs, while the Vietnamese market also experiences lively trading sessions with values touching the billion-dollar threshold.
However, the biggest challenge faced by new investors is not lack of knowledge but not knowing when the market opens, what the optimal trading hours are, and how to manage order placement time effectively.
How the Stock Market Operates
Basic Principles of Trading Hours
Unlike the forex market, which operates 24/7, global stock exchanges follow official working schedules. Most operate officially from Monday to Friday during regular business hours. The market does not trade on weekends and national holidays.
Each market has its own characteristics:
Important Information Before Trading
Before each trading session, investors should update:
US Stock Trading Hours in Vietnam Time
NYSE - New York Stock Exchange
NASDAQ
Important Notes
Both NYSE and NASDAQ operate continuously without lunch breaks. Pre-market and after-hours trading times depend on each broker and may vary. Vietnamese traders often access the US market through derivative products like CFDs, which allow profit from price movements without owning the actual assets.
Vietnam Stock Trading Hours
General Information
Vietnam’s three stock exchanges—HOSE (Ho Chi Minh City), HNX (Hanoi), and Upcom—are:
HOSE - Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange
Trading hours for stocks, fund certificates, ETFs:
Bonds: Negotiated trading from 9:00-15:00 (excluding lunch break 11:30-13:00)
HNX - Hanoi Stock Exchange
Upcom
Derivatives trading on all three exchanges opens 15 minutes earlier than the underlying stocks, with indices like VN-30 and futures contracts.
Major Vietnamese Securities Companies’ Trading Hours
VNDirect
VPS
SSI
Trading Strategies Based on Opening Hours
For Active Investors (US)
The first 2 hours after opening or the last hours before closing are the most volatile. Especially, the first 15 minutes have high trading volume. Day traders should take advantage of this before 11:30 (US time) as volatility drops significantly afterward.
At the end of December, the market tends to be more lively (“Christmas rally” phenomenon), as investors seek new opportunities.
For Cautious Investors (Vietnam)
Focus on peak hours: 9:00-10:00 AM and 13:30-14:30 PM. Trading all day is unnecessary—just 2-3 hours daily.
Vietnam’s market also has lively periods, especially around Tet when investors receive bonuses and look for new investment opportunities.
Trading Holiday Schedule
US Market Closed on:
Vietnamese Market Closed on:
Summary Table of Main Stock Exchange Trading Hours
Conclusion
Knowing stock trading hours and managing your time effectively are fundamental to building a sound investment strategy. Whether you are interested in the US or Vietnamese markets, understanding detailed trading hours will help optimize your investment results. Combine this knowledge with trading software that supports economic calendars, real-time news, and expert analysis to gain a competitive edge in market opportunities.